Alicia Silverstone To Putin: Give Pussy Riot Vegan Food

By Jennifer Mishler | August 16, 2012

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Three members of Russian punk band Pussy Riot have been in jail since March, arrested after performing an anti-Vladimir Putin song in a Moscow cathedral. Since then, some of their supporters have protested and been arrested, and organizations like Amnesty International have called for the band’s release.

Now, Alicia Silverstone has spoken up for Maria Alekhina, a vegan member of Pussy Riot, who has reportedly not been given adequate nutrition while in jail. Silverstone wrote a letter to Prime Minister Putin on behalf of PETA.

“I have been following the trial involving three members of the band Pussy Riot. As a vegan myself, I was deeply concerned to learn that one of the women, Maria Alekhina, who is a vegan, reportedly collapsed from hunger during a court session. I respectfully request you to ensure that vegan meals are available to Ms. Alekhina and all prisoners.”

The actress and author of “The Kind Diet” adds, “Regardless of the trial and its outcome, I’m sure you can agree that everyone has the right to show compassion and refrain from harming animals by being vegan. May I please have your assurance that Ms. Alekhina will have access to vegan foods? Thank you for your time and attention to this urgent matter,” according to the Examiner.

PETA adds that other celebs like Madonna and Franz Ferdinand have called for the release of Pussy Riot’s members Maria Alekhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Ekaterina Samoutsevitch, and hopes that “the government will at least agree to free them from having to choose between eating animals and going hungry.” Paul McCartney has also sent his support, telling the three to “stay strong.”